Empowering Communities: Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Return to St. Louis
As the birthplace of the sorority’s founder, this year’s conference will have special meaning for the more than 4,000 members expected to attend.
ST. LOUIS (March 5, 2025) – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® will hold its 91st Central Regional Conference in St. Louis April 3-6 at the America’s Center Convention Complex. With its theme of “Soaring in the Lou: Opulence in Bloom”, more than 4000 members from the sorority’s eight state Central Region are expected to attend and generate an economic impact of more than $5.5 million for the city.
Alpha Kappa Alpha was founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington, D.C. as the first and oldest Greek-letter organization established by service-minded African American college educated women. This year’s conference has special meaning because of St. Louis’ historic significance with the sorority. Its founder, Ethel Hedgemon Lyle was born there in 1887 and graduated from Sumner High School.
The four-day event, which will feature business sessions and workshops that advance the sorority’s mission of “Service to All Mankind”, will be led by Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Central Regional Director, Kiahna W. Davis.
“We are excited to be in St. Louis and celebrate the legacy and spirit of our founder, Ethel Hedgemon Lyle,” said Davis. “We’re looking forward to ‘Meeting in the Lou’ and experiencing the great hospitality St. Louis in known for.”
The central region of Alpha Kappa Alpha has more than 8,000 members whose graduate and undergraduate chapters are located in the following eight states – Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Eastern Missouri, Kentucky, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. Locally, there are six graduate chapters and two undergraduate chapters located in St. Louis and across the river in Illinois in East St. Louis, Edwardsville and St. Clair County. Notable members include former Vice President Kamala Harris, Illinois U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood and Illinois Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton.
For more information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s 91st Central Regional Conference, please visit aka1908.com/central
About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington,
D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has more than 355,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, Texas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, often is hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.”
About Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®
The Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, was established in 1919. The Region is comprised of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the southeastern portion of Missouri. The first Central Regional Conference was held in Indianapolis on May 23, 1931. Central Region is the home of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Corporate Office, located at 5656 South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago.
